Apparatus for washing drinking vessels



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' APPARATUS FOR WASHING DRINKING-VESSELS Filed March 16, 1934 :5 Sheets-Sheet 1 c n Chambers VENTDE Feh 4, 1936. v c. CHAMBERS 3 9 APPARATUS FOR WASHING DRINKING VESSELS Filed March 16, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Qornehus hqmbers IN V ENTOE,

Patented F ch. 4, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR WASHING DRINKING VESSELS Cornelius Chambers, Shirley, Birmingham, England Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for use in washing drinking vessels such as glasses or tankards, and the invention concerns washers of the type including one or more washing units having or each having elements for engaging the inner surface and/or the outer surface of the vessel to be washed.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a generally improved form of washing unit for use in or with apparatus of this kind.

Further, in practice, the use of the elements in bowl type washing apparatus is open to the objection that water contained in the bowl becomes very foul after a period of use, and a further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the water will be automatically and continually replaced by fresh water.

Referring to the drawings:-

Figure 1 is a part sectional view of one form of apparatus according to this invention.

Figure 2 is a sim'lar section taken through the washing unit in addition.

Figure 3 is a plan view sectioned on the left hand side of the figure, and with part of the cen-- tral washing member removed on the right hand side of the figure.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing one of the washing elements incorporated in the construction illustrated in Figures 1 to 3.

Figure 5 is a part sectional elevation through a modified form of washing apparatus.

Figure 6 is a plan view of same.

Figure 7 shows in sectional elevation a modified central element for a washing unit.

In Figures 1 to 4 is illustrated one form of washing apparatus including a bowl or tank ID in which is mounted a washing element comprising a metal base II supported on the base l2 of the bowl by outwardly and downwardly projecting legs having rubber feet l3 with concave or sucker-like under faces, a post I4 projecting upwardly at the centre of the base II and carrying spaced washing elements of star like form and constructed from sheet rubber.

Each element comprises a central disc [5 apertured to engage over the post I, which is formed at the desired positions with annular channels or recesses IS in each of which one of the elements I5 is located, the latter having resilient fingers I! which project substantially radially from the disc l5 for engagement with the interior surface of the vessel to be washed.

At the top of the post a top washing element for engaging the end of the interior of the glass 55 is formed from four discs of form similar to those provided along the length of the post, each disc being engaged in a quarter of an annular recess [8 and in one half of each of two further slots 19 formed over the end of the post, as shown in Figure 3.v

The slots l9 communicate with the channel [8 and when the four discs are mounted in these slots, two discs extend in side-by-side relationship in each of the slots 19 and each disc engages a quarter of the channel l8.

To the base I I are secured four upwardly projecting pillars 20 'of square section and on each pillar are mounted a plurality of outer washing elements which co-operate with the washing elements attached to the post and are interleaved 15 therewith as shown in Figure 2.

Each outer washing element is moulded in one piece from rubber and comprises a block 2| of relatively hard rubber in which is moulded a metal sleeve of section suitable for engagement 20 with the section of the pillar, a fin 22 of relatively soft rubber projecting from the block for engagement with the outer surface of the glass or vessel being washed.

The outer elements are threaded upon the posts 25 and are secured in position by means of studs 23 engaging screw threaded holes in the ends of the posts.

Each block 2| is of greater depth at the centre portion through which the metal sleeve 24 ex- 30 tends and the block is reduced to the sides 25 as shown in Figure 4.

When the washing unit is inserted in the bowl, in which is provided a quantity of water, the glasses or drinking vessels are washed by inserting 35 them mouth downwards over the projecting end of the post I4, the edge of the vessel passing between the inner and outer washing elements and the inner and outer surfaces of the vessel being cleaned by the washing elements.

The base II is provided with a covering 26 of rubber to prevent damage to the edge of the glass or vessel and a drain hole 21 is provided in the centre of the base l2 of the bowl.

In the modification illustrated in Figures 5 and 5 6, the washing unit is constructed substantially as described above with inner and outer washing elements, but the base of the unit is formed as a casting which is subsequently filled up with lead or other suitable material to weight the base of the unit, a passage or pipe extending through the base between a hollow lug 28 and a tubular extension 50 on the base.

This extension is externally screw threaded and a rubber plug 29, provided with a metal liner 30 having a flange 3|, is mounted on the extension and is adapted to fit into and close the top of the drain hole 21.

A clamping ring 32 is provided above the flange 3i to lock the plug in an adjusted position such that the plug closes the drain hole with the feet 53 resting upon the base of the bowl and supporting the unit.

In the lug 28 is mounted a tube 33 supporting telescopically a further tube 34 to the upper end of which is secured a funnel 35.

This funnel is mounted in the bowl and is provided with holes 36 at the level at which it is desired to maintain the water in the bowl, these holes allowing the water to flow into the funnel and thence to the hollow lug 28 and to the drain hole 21.

With this arrangement, Washing water can be continually supplied to the bowl and allowed to overflow from the surface so that the water being used for the washing operation is automatically and continually replaced by fresh water so that it cannot become fouled or covered with undesirable scum.

The funnel 35 may also form a receptacle into which may be poured dregs from the drinking vessels to be washed, and by the telescopic engagement between the tubes 33 and 34, the funnel, and consequently the discharge overflow, may be located at any desired height. Upon the tube 34 is threaded a rubber ring 31 which forms an abutment for engagement with the end of the tube 33 to retain the funnel 35 at the desired height.

In Figure 7 is illustrated a modified form of centre post for a washing unit, this construction enabling the unit to be used with drinking vessels of diiferent sizes. In this construction, the base i i is provided with a short central boss 38 formed with an annular groove in which is mounted a washing element and with a central recess 39. V A further section 40 of the central post is provided with additional annular grooves for washing elements I5, this section being connected with the boss 38 by means of a bolt 4|, the head of which engages an internal shoulder in a central bore through the section 40, whilst the lower end of the bolt engages an internally screw threaded hole in the base I I at the bottom of the recess 39.

The section 40 is normally retained at an elevated position above the boss 38 by means of a spring 42 disposed around the bolt and between the under side of the section 40 and the base of the recess 39, and the arrangement is such that, in the position as shown in Figure 8, the post can be used for washing drinking vessels of relatively large size.

For smaller drinking vessels the section 40 moves towards the boss 38 as the small vessel is pushed over the top of the post and, with this construction all the washing elements can be brought into use by moving the section 40 sufiiciently towards the base H and compressing the spring 42.

In this construction is illustrated a modified washing element for the top of the centre post, and in this construction the top of the post is of inverted conical form and the central bore 43 through the section 40 is closed by means of a central plug 44. One washing element 46 is placed upon the end of the post and is clamped thereon by a sheet metal washer 45, whilst a further washing element 47 is clamped into the washer 45 by means of a bolt 48 passing through a central aperture in the plug 44.

When the bolt 48 is tightened the washing element 46 is clamped upon the inverted conical end of the post and the element 41 is bunched together so that the resilient fingers, similar to the fingers I! on the elements described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, project upwardly to engage with the interior of the base of a drinking vessel being cleaned.

In this construction a ribbed rubber cover plate 49 is provided on the upper surface of the base H to protect the edges of a vessel being cleaned.

With the constructions according to the present invention, the washing elements can readily be removed for cleaning or renewal, since the outer elements are readily detachable, whilst the elements on the central post can easily be sprung out of the grooves.

Further, the apparatus can be used for cleaning drinking vessels, such as tankards or cups having handles projecting on the exterior, since such handles can be engaged in one of the spaces between the columns of outer elements and the handle does not interfere with inserting the vessel between the inner and outer washing elements.

A further advantage is that with a washing unit of the form illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 and when used with washing apparatus of the bowl type, the washing water can be continually and automatically renewed so that the washing operation can be conducted more efiiciently and without an accumulation of undesirable scum or dirt around the unit or in the washing water.

The centre parts of the blocks 2| of the outer washing elements space the cleaning fins 22 up the height of the post, as shown in Figure 2, and the elements disposed at the upper ends of the pillars are formed with soft projections which extend on either side of the head of the attachment stud 23 to protect the glasses or drinking vessels against damage due to striking the metal studs.

What I claim then is 1. Apparatus for washing drinking vessels including a washing unit having a base, a central post on said base, inner washing elements on said post, spaced pillars on said base, outer washing elements on said pillars, each of said outer elements including a block of rubber having integral therewith a resilient projecting washing fin, and the outer elements on adjacent pillars being spaced sumciently to accommodate a handle on a drinking vessel being washed.

2. Apparatus for washing drinking vessels including a washing unit having a base a central post on said base, inner washing elements on said post, eaid elements being spaced along the length of said post, spaced pillars on said base, outer washing elements on said pillars, a plurality of said elements being spaced along the length of each pillar, each of said outer elements including a block of rubber having integral therewith a projecting washing fin, said blocks being mounted on said pillar to space said washing fins along the length thereof, and the outer elements on adjacent pillars being spaced sufiiciently to accommodate a handle on a drinking vessel being washed. 7 v 3. Apparatus for washing drinking vessels including a washing unit having a base, a central post on said base inner washing elements on said post, said elements being spaced along the length of said post, spaced pillars on said base, outer washing elements on said'pillars, each of said elements including a block of rubber having integral therewith a projecting washing fin, said blocks threading on one of said pillars and spacing 5. Apparatus for washing drinking vessels said washing fins along the length thereof, said including a washing unit having a base, a central pillars being arranged around said post such that post on said base, inner washing elements on said the projecting washing fins of the elements on posts, said elements being spaced along the length I said pillars collectively embrace substantially the of said post, further elements at the end of said 5 circumference of the exterior of a vessel being post for engaging within the base of a vessel, said washed, and the outer elements on adjacent pilfurther elements being clamped to the end of said lars being spaced sufiiciently to accommodate a post, spaced pillars on said base, outer washing handle on a drinking vessel being washed. elements on said pillars, a plurality of said ele- 4. Apparatus for washing drinking vessels inments being spaced along the length of each pil- 10 eluding a washing unit having inner washing elelar, each of said outer elements including a block ments and outer washing elements, each of said of rubber having integral therewith a projecting outer elements including a block of rubber havwashing fin, said blocks being mounted on said ing integral therewith a projecting washing fin, pillar to space said washing fins along the length a vessel to be washed being inserted between said thereof, and said outer elements being arranged 5 inner and said outer elements, and said outer in groups around said inner elements with a gap elements being arranged in groups around said between adjacent groups, permitting the passage inner elements with a gap between adjacent of ahandle on said vessel. groups, permitting the passage of a handle on said vessel. CORNELIUS CHAMBERS. 20 

